By Peter Nguyen Khanh, SDB

       Lilongwe Don Bosco, Malawi ZMB Viceprovince, 1 March 2021 --

       1. What makes you happy as a Salesian missionary Ad Gentes in Africa?

       I was very happy to have in my life the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa of the Saint Pope John Paul II. I had to confess that the more I read and meditated on the reflection of Saint John Paul II, the more I believed that my life is for Africa, especially when he called me: “Comes Home.” That’s why, as Salesian missionary Ad Gentes in Africa, I found my true home where I can bring the peace of the Christ, our hope who is risen, to the people and with Don Bosco. I reaffirm my preference for the young who are “poor, abandoned and in danger”. They are in great need of Good Samaritans who will come to their aid.

       2. What have you learned from the African Catholic youth after 12 years?

       I think that I have learnt many things from them, for instance: their commitment, their sacrifice, their happiness even when they face a lot of difficulties in their lives, but they always keep hope and optimism, therefore they never lose hope in God. This is the most important thing I could learn from them so that I will fulfill the mission that God already entrusted to me through the chasim of Father John Bosco.

       3. How do you feel as a Pre-novicemaster in Malawi?

       In 2017 I met my Provincial when he came to Rundu Community for his canonical visitation and during the spiritual talk, he requested me to join the Lilongwe Community and I would be in charge Pre-novices. After hearing this I felt some anxiety and I was even afraid of it and immediately felt like rejecting his invitation, but by his encouragement and also by the help of other Salesians, I accepted even though I did not know what I should do.

       In 2018, after a while I arrived safety in the Lilongwe Community and I have found that my greatest joy is to feel so welcome amongst the conferrers and especially with the help of God through the community, we began the Pre-novitiate together well and with my experiences I can say that I am very confident and so happy to share my religious life with the Pre-novices. I love what I am doing and I do it with my heart and I always believe that what God already started God will end well, I am just an instrument in His hands.

       4. What challenges did you overcome as a missionary Ad Gentes?

       In fact, when I was sent to Africa in 2008, especially to the Vice-Province of Mary Help of Christians, I did not even know where it was. After that, I had an opportunity to search from the Internet. I found many challenges waiting for me ahead, for instance: cultures, foods, languages and the most challenging for me could also be the mentalities of the people, in particular for Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Namibia and I asked myself seriously how can I survive?

       But I remembered the words of Father Vaclac Klement (General Councilor for the Missions at that time), he said: “Without love nothing can happen but if love exists in us, everything is possible.”

       Thereafter, I believe that love already helped me to stand and overcome my challenges and I also left all my challenges for Jesus to set out on the new paths he has pointed out.

       5. Any suggestions for the Salesians in Vietnam?

       “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Romans 10:15)

       My dear young conferees, in 1952 the first two missionaries landed in our country, they came from the Province of China and after 69 years how beautiful Salesian life is in Vietnam nowadays. We should thank God for his blessings, especially the gift of our Father John Bosco.

       I would like to quote from the Gospel of Matthew 10:8 who tells us “We received without paying, give without pay.” We already received the Good News through the missionaries in the past, now is the time for us to give the Good News through missionary work. Do not be afraid to answer God's call: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 2: 3)

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